“We of the service, sahib,” he answered, “obey orders at the gallop when they come. When orders come to ride, we ride!”'
Bellairs winced at the thrust.
“That's all very fine, Risaldar. But how about my wife? What's going to happen to her, if I leave her here alone and unprotected?”
“Or to me, sahib? Is my sword-arm withered? Is my saber rusted home?”
“You, old friend! D'you mean to tell me—”
The Risaldar saluted him again.
“Will you stay here and guard her?”
“Nay, sahib! Being not so young as thou art, I know better!”
“What in Tophet do you mean, Mahommed Khan?”
“I mean, sahib,”—the Indian's voice was level and deep, but it vibrated strangely, and his eyes glowed as though war-lights were being born again behind them—“that not for nothing am I come! I heard what thy orders were and—”